Scotland’s Marine Bill yesterday received Royal Assent, marking a major turning point in safeguarding the future of Scotland seas and laying the foundations for a more simplified marine planning and licensing system.

Shetland businessman Michael Laurenson, of Blueshell Mussels, has had “a fantastic learning experience” at one of the world's most renowned business schools where he was taking part in an entrepreneurs' development programme supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Two million seabirds have been killed by fishing lines in the past decade because the EU is failing to take “cheap and effective” action to tackle the problem, Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson said yesterday.

An innovative new device that could help save fishermen’s lives by warning of vessel instability is to go on show at this year’s Fishing 2010 exhibition in Glasgow.